My spark plug wires are old and ready to be retired from duty. I'm about to buy some more, but I'm wondering if there is really much difference between aftermarket and OEM. I'm debating between NGK, Magnecore or OEM. I like the Magnecore, but the NGK and the OEM fit my budget better. Comments please.

 

i've read alot of old posts in regards to the ignition systems in our honda/acuras and teh general concensus among the more informed members agree that the oem ignition is pretty sufficient for what it is. But there isn't anything wrong wit tryin to upgrade i guess... but i think the ngk blues are known to have a better fit than most of those others. something u may want to keep in mind.

 

I have tried 8.5 mm Magnecor, OEM and MSD. (Listed in order of preference.)

I really liked the Magnecors. They supressed a lot of sound system noise and worked great.

The MSD's were not even the correct length and a couple of the wires were stretched tight in order to reach dist.

I would run again Magnecors except they are twice the price. At some point I will make the investment.

OEM's are great except as I said, they have not provided the isolation from sound system. I get some engine buzz on AM bands.


[Modified by 97accordex, 9:19 AM 2/28/2003]

 

...odd the MSDs I got are exactly the same length as the stockers. I got em really cheap, otherwise I'd just go with NGK.

 

I have had the NGK's for 6 months and have had no problems or noticable electronic noise.


[Modified by TEG98, 2:13 PM 2/28/2003]

 

Are all NGK wires the same collor? Or do they change depending on application? If so, what color are NGK's for a B16? Thanx

 

how do you know the wires are going bad? did you check the resistance? use a voltmeter/multimeter which measures resistance in ohms. should be less than 25k or so, check the manual.

stick with oem/ngk unless you know you need an upgraded ignition.

 

if you are not running high comp./turbo/juice/sc
use OEM... otherwise you are wasting $$$ on expensive plugs/wire.

 

Magnacore are top notch quality and fitment and they might work better too. I belive Simple Digital Systems SDS recomends them with their stand alone setups. I bet you could find magnacores cheaper than OEM too. Oh ya they are not "Super Electron Glow RED" either. nice kinda subtle red. if red can be subtle. I like them, used them on a few swaps i did. no problems.

 

u know how i do it, i turn car on at night, if i can see current traveling, they need to be replaced. or if they just look corroded or something like that.

 

Misting the ignition wires with a fine mist of water or beer will agravate any weak insulation on your wires. Do it in the dark like that ^ guy said. Just as a side note...It is always a good idea to use some dielectric grease on all the plug wire connections to decrease the resistance the spark sees. It's just a special silicone based grease you can get at NAPA or Advance etc... It's good to have for hondas with their finicky inigition systems.

 

nevermind...Beer might make it stumble...

 

I'd recommend Luberex. It's a calcium stearate based grease with superior insulating properties. It does not in any way promote the conduction of electricity.

 

you WANT your plug wires to conduct electricity that is how the spark gets from the dist to the plug. I was talking about putting it on the inside of the plug wire connections. The silicone and the design of the wire should give you plenty of insulation. If you have problems with the wires arcing to the block why would you want to put grease on them?? Just by new ones.

what is Luderex made for? dielectric grease is made for electrical connections to help conductivity, reduce corossion, and seal out water.

 

Luberex. One doesn't put dielectric grease on copper(3rd best conductor) to promote conductivity. You do put it on to seal out water and defend against corrosion to maintain long term conductivity. I use Luberex for automotive applications and as a condensation preventer in exotic computer cooling applications, such as peltier setups.

 

so you just put it between the rubber and the ceramic insulator? that makes sense, But dielectric grease does the same thing and I don't think the ends of spark plugs and wire connections are copper. looks like mild steel or someting. it at least has a plating on it cuse it's silver color on both the plug tip (screw on part) and the end of the wire. So technically we are not talking about a copper to sopper connection, so maybe the dielectic grease is better.
the copper is in the core of the wire. not the ends where we need good connections.

 

I stand corrected. In copper to sopper connections feel free to use silicone based dielectric grease.

I used copper merely as an example. The same holds true for alum or steel. Over the years I've tried several different dielectric compounds and I've found this one to be the best in nearly every application, your milage may vary of course, but give it a try.


[Modified by TimoneX, 12:49 PM 3/1/2003]

 

sopper... that must be what i have. No really doesn't what i said make sense though.
You said that stuff you like INSULATES so isn't that a diffrent application? We are talking about plug wires making good connection as well as sealing out moisture etc.. so don't you agree that diaelectric grease works well for plug wire applications. I used to be a Volvo tech and there were several applications and sometimes "fixs" that we were recomened diaelectric grease by volvo sweden. It work well.

you used copper as an example of the 3rd best conducter, but we are not really talking about copper so do you think the dia grease is more or less conductive than what are apparenty steel to steel connections. (i just pulled a plug wire appart, again steel)
where do you get that stuff and do you leave the contacts dry? what do you use on regular plugs say in the engine bay? only put your stuff on the outer edge of the plug?
Is Luberex an automotive product or does it come from some other industry (computer)?
oh, and thanks for spellchecking me....twice... it really adds the the conversation

 

I just read my tube of dielectric grease. yup it DOES prevent voltage loss and help seal out moisture. So you DO use it for exactly what i said. The tube does not lie. also dont eat it. Luberex is much tastier.

 

Yes and calcium stearate is much healthier too!

 

Thanx guys.. I think I'm gonna go with the NGKs, since they're only about $12 more than OEM.

 

ngk blues will try magnecores 8.5 when i start squeezn again

 

I have magnacores on my accord and my civic

i would like to try the NGK blue though.